I have 40 birthday emails!

I loved your talk, it was way good mom! I’m way proud of you! This letter has to be fast again because I got on today and I have 40 birthday emails—I can’t handle it!!!!

Oatmeal Cake that I made for my birthday!

So questions:

• How are your Book of Mormon studies going?

I love the Book of Mormon!!  I’m in Mosiah 3 in Spanish, but I already read it in English once. I read Jesus the Christ, Preach My Gospel, True to the Faith and I'm in Corinthians in the Bible I love studies—they are the best!

• How is Hector doing?

Hector, is going through a hard time and went back to his old church and dropped us, but its cool--we will be able to help him eventually!

• Tell me one of your most favorite things about Argentina.

I don't know—I need to think on what I love…Sorry!

• I got a picture from Becca of you and Elder Peters!! Man I love to see your face!!! Please send me pictures of your cute face!!

The AP's came to stay for a few days--Elder Peters and Elder Benedict

Monday we had a normal work day and it was long because it should have been p-day but it was fine. We did service and taught a new investigator who is weird but good!

Burning my tie to celebrate six months serving!

Tuesday we had intercambios (exchanges) and it was way weird! We walked over 20 kilometers from 4pm until 10pm because I was in the other elders area and their bikes were broke, so it was awful!! We had a cool lesson in the middle of nowhere that I thought I might die at because the lights went out in the middle of the lesson and it was scary, but it was good and we just walked fast the last 4 kilometers to the bus stop in a lightning storm. Thankfully a kid that we talked with earlier that day stopped his dads car and gave us a ride home! It was an amazing miracle!

3 kilos of ice cream to celebrate!!

Wednesday was our p-day. We just chilled and slept!

Thursday and Friday we worked hard but literally had nothing!

Saturday we still had nothing this day, but we were going to a meeting we had, on the way it was like my bike hit a invisible small wall and I got launched about 10 feet and landed and rolled a few times with  no problem to my clothes or my hands or anything—but the rim of my wheel literally bent in two places in half, it was crazy! I’ll show you what it looked like when we bend it back next week! 

I got a cactus from the pension and mate made from palo santo  that smells amazing.
The yerba is signed by my favorite  family. Way good birthday!

Sunday for my birthday Elder La Fleur gave me a cactus, and then the family Burnet gave me a mate and yerba with their names on it! I’m going to keep it forever, because it makes me way happy! Then we just had a normal night, but it was a good day and I loved it — good, but weird! I’m going to go shopping today and will send you photos! 

We also had the assistants in the pens (apartment) this week and it was a blast to hang out with them and just have a great time! Honestly it seems like its been a hard week, but God has been helping us a ton to help our burdens feel light, and to just keep going! I know that God is treating me great in this area. He is trying to give me blessings but people have agency and for that we may not have success, but I know that He is making my burdens light that I may be able to bear them! I love you all so much!! Tell Jes and Taylor that I will write them next week and that I love them a ton! Don’t forget you still have to write me while you’re on your trip! 

I love you to the moon and back and I love my God and this gospel a ton! 

Love, Jayson 

It's been a good week!

So its been a good week, but its Wednesday and I'm short time, but I promise this will still be a good email because I love you a lot! 

We had Carnival on Monday and Tuesday which here in Argentina just means that people don't go to work and that people just sit around all day—nothing special but we couldn't email until today! 

So on to the questions!

• Which investigator has impacted you the most?

I would say that Stella and Alberto. She was gone from the church for so long because her husband wouldn't let her go, and then as soon as she had her own house and place she found us and was ready and took the immediate opportunity to come back. She didn't wait—as soon as she saw us she came and talked to us and got us over to her house, but a lot  of investigators have affected me! When I get home we will go through all my agendas and journals and I’ll explain them all! 

• Tell me about a miracle you have witnessed.

Yesterday we were out about 10 kilometers from the pension (apartment) in the middle of a huge lighting storm and we has to walk 4 kilometers to get to the bus stop on a dirt road that had no street lights. We didn't get robbed, and no one talked to us and then when we got to the bus stop—we would have had to wait an hour in the rain until 11:30pm in the dark, but a man in a truck passed us stopped and gave us a ride home straight to the pension. We had talked to his son earlier that day for maybe a minute and that miracle came to pass because of it. We would have either had to walk for 3 hours at night or pray that the bus was actually going pass on a holiday at night, so we were really blessed! 

• What was the best thing that has happened?

I don't know what the best thing is to happen... probably actually getting to find and teach people and just being peoples friends—thats awesome to me! 

• What is your favorite place to be?

My favorite place? Teaching! In a house or outside when a member testifies of the truth —I love it, it’s just really perfect!

• How did you help somebody this week?

We painted a guys roof, and we taught some kids whose mom died two years ago and we were their friends and it was way awesome! 

• Tell me one thing you learned this week?

I learned that I need to get to houses of safety when people tell me it will rain! 

• When were you the happiest this week?

I was really happy when I told our branch president about some investigators and he told me he knew them well, and we made a good plan for how to help them and how he could help and it was just a cool way happy moment—that also helped me be happy with the president of the rama! 

So this week! 

Last Monday we went and learned how to make facturas ,(Argentine pastries) it was way good, and way cool—they are a snack from here that I love!! Look them up! Then we just kinda tried to work! 

Tuesday we taught a menos activo and it was way good, and we found out the Neito isn't a member and we are going to start teaching him! I’m way pumped for it! 

Wednesday we taught Hector and he told us that he had an answer and he believed the Book of Mormen was true! Way cool lesson and I was way happy with it, but he later dropped us this week because he is passing through hard timea and started going to his old church and he feels good there. I was way sad, but it happened.

Thursday we taught a few less actives and it was just a good tanquilo day of work and we worked hard!

Friday my 6 month day! We had some way cool plans—we taught Hector and he was still good, then we went to ward correlation. Then the other ward by us had an activity that we helped with.  We played tons of ‘Minute To Win It’ games and then had a empanada contest. It was way fun, and way good, and a blast!!! Then we bought three kgs of ice cream and burnt a tie I had cut out of a sheet. I’ll send you the pics next week! 

Saturday we had a way dope day and we taught three people who were our age and they all spoke English and I loved them a ton! I really cant wait to teach them, i feel like they are really my friends and I loved it! But they are on vacation now, so next week! But  after we taught them we got bought in the huge rain storm to the point that I could dump water out of my shoes and we found shelter in a menos activos house and he gave us a bunch of game cube games that I will get to play when I get home so I'm way pumped for that! It’s all good though, no temptation here! 

Sunday we had a rough day—my comp felt way sick so we left late, went to a meeting and then just talked to some people in the street. It was good, but not like teaching three teenagers that can speak English kinda,and are way cool musicians! ;)

So that was my week, next Monday I will email normal with more time and let you all see the pictures of the six month stuff.

I miss you a ton mom and know that I love you like crazy and as always I am praying way hard for you! Please be safe and take care of all the kids at home. It seems to me that Jesika needs help—please go and try to help her for me, or send Taylor to go do it —I think she could use a little time off! 

I love you forever and ever! 

Sincerely your child,

Jayson

One of the best days of my mission...

Hey beautiful,

I hope the birthday was everything you hoped it would be and more. It sounded way awesome, but I wasn't there so it still lacked the best stuff, sorry for that ;) 

To answer your questions:

• Did your figure out your Oreo cake?

I didn't figure out the cake thing, but I didn't try either—maybe this week ;) 

• How are you and Elder Le Fleur getting along?

Me and elder LaFleur are getting along fine he is way weird kid, but a good kid, he talks about some stuff I don't want to talk about — so that’s hard but other then that he is a good guy!

• How many lessons (approx) do you teach a week?

Last week we taught 5 lessons to investigators and 5 lessons to less actives—really a pretty good week I’d say average is about 7 or 8 grand total lessons a week. 

• Taylor took me to a Mexican store and bakery—I saw a Milanasa steak! Do you like it any better than you did 5 months ago?

I do like mileneza more then before, I don't really like the beef ones, but I think the chicken ones are way good. I really like them! 

• Tell me what things cost there in pesos:

Loaf of bread is like 16 pesos but you can get a kilo of rolls for 9 pesos, but its not like sliced bread, they are just like bread roles that are way good! 

Dozen eggs is 22 pesos. 

One liter of milk is 11 pesos. 

We can get a 20 liter bottle of water for 13 pesos, but like a 1.5 liter bottle is like 8 pesos. 

• Do you try to eat fruit and vegetables every day?

I eat a fruit everyday, we go out for 5 hours every night so I take an apple with me every night, it helps me be happier.                                     

• How many Elders live in your apartment and who are they?

I have four guys in my pens (apartment) elder LaFleur, me, elder Houghten who I love, and elder Charca de Peru.

Your week sounds way fun and crazy—so way to be awesome!!!!

Monday we had a large bbq thing called an asado here with my zone of 14 people, and it was way fun and pretty good, but it was meat so not incredible, but not bad! Then that night we had a lesson with a less active kid that was cool and fun!

Tuesday we had a lesson with our crazy recent convert, he talks as if he wasn't baptized and its way weird and I really don't like teaching him, but thats whatever—he is interesting. We were dropped by Tania because they started going to a different Catholic church so that sucks, but thats fine. We also had a zone meeting just about rules and it wasn't that fun, I feel like I'm obedient, and then we get way stupid rules that I break by trying to do right, like we are only allowed to fast from lunch to lunch not from morning to night time. I got in trouble for that today — its just stuff like that that bugs me....

Wednesday we had a lesson with a member this day that was way awesome, his name is Hector and he is 24 and I really think that he could make it! We teach him everyday and he seems to really like what we are teaching, so for the rest of the week after this day we passed by and chatted for at least a second! Its been way cool and I really like it, but that was all that day! 

Thursday we got dropped by a ton of investigators in the morning so that was lame... but we did get to teach a new investigator who swore a ton and it was way weird, I didn't really like it I felt like we were fighting while we were trying to agree on certain things, but its hard when we believe we are the only true church while other people just go wherever the wind blows and its true... but it was at least a lesson! 

Friday we really just tried to find people to teach and no one was home or wanted us, but like always we worked way hard! 

Saturday was honestly a way dope day and I loved it so much! First we rode our bikes about 10 kilometers down the freeway type thing, don't worry it had a bike lane! We found a go-kart course and it was way weird and cool but then we had to go back, but I at least felt like it was a good ride! I miss actually just going and going for a good long distance, I miss it a lot! That night we had three lessons, one with Mabel who is this old crazy lady who doesn't really want to listen, but we taught the plan of salvation and she liked it a little, but didn't really pay attention. Then we taught Hector and he read and prayed the night before and he told us that he felt way tranquilo and peaceful and he said he believes its true!!!!! Wooo hooo—it was a really good day for me!! Then that night we took another member and had another lesson with a menos activo named Jonathon and his wife and it was good and simple, but i liked it a lot! One of the best days of my mission tons of teaching—how I wish everyday was really! 

Sunday we had a good day of church really. I have this huge love for the young men of my ward and they really help me a ton! I feel at home with all of them, we have no priests, but its just fun to chat and be kids and just love them all the time, they honestly make me so happy I could just chill with the young men all the time!!! It would be the best!!!! We did go teach one menos activo that day who just plain said, “I have no desire to go to church”, and we were like nooooo! It’s so hard to help people want to go, it needs to be from them not us, so it sucks — but whatever! 

That was my week and its been way good! Please pray for Hector because he is awesome! I love it here! I had a hard morning today, but I'm fasting and praying and feeling better! I know God is there and I had a big testimony booster today! I love my Lord and God for all they do for me! 

I love you all so much and wish you an amazing week! 

Love, Elder Benedict

I have a new companion

Hows the life treating the family? Taylor finally done working? Good for him, it sounds tiring to me! I really like the way Taylor’s car looks and its going to be a nice car! 

Answers to your questions:

• What is your new companions name and where is he from?

My new comps name is elder Zachery La Fleur, he is a good kid from Salt Lake, he went to Highland High. He is nice enough, he works hard, he has 14 months in the mission and speaks good, but nothing special. I got him mid-day on Thursday after lunch. 

• Did you get your package yet? I sent it on December 18th.

Your packages haven't even made it to Argentina yet, so maybe next month! Some people tell me that it takes about 2 to 4 months to just get them to Argentina, but I'm not worried about it! 

• When was the last time you laughed with your companion and why?

I don't know...we laugh a lot—probably sometime this morning or last night I don't know mom, I don't really remember much about what I laugh about! ;) 

• What do you love about your mission President?

I really love that my President knows who I am from just looking at my face, or he just knows and pays attention to what I say and he just really cares! 

Monday we just went home and slept and then we went and got ice cream it was way awesome I really like ice cream especially because its way freaking hot here! That night was just saying goodbye!

Tuesday and Wednesday was just all day saying goodbye—it was just a ton of talking to members and chilling it was awful, I hate when I feel like we are not really working.

Thursday we woke up late mostly because I didn't know I was supposed to go so my alarm went off when I wanted it to at 6:30 because I didn’t think I needed to go to the bus stop, but everyone woke up with me, the bus left at 6:50 so we were sprinting to the terminal and trying to get him there on time and it just barely happened it was so freaking close, but the zone leaders stalled the bus and we got him there. Then that night I got La Fleur.

Friday we went and taught a recent convert and it was a good lesson, but other then that we didn't have any luck with any of our plans. I cooked me some rice though so that was exciting! 

Saturday we found a new investigator named Hector and he is a good guy, he let us teach him when we actually clapped his door and it was cool he is a nice guy, but I'm not positive how interested he is. We are going to go this Wednesday and see! But at least we saw some success! 

Sunday we had a ton of great plans that I was pumped for, but they all just fell as people sent us texts and that was fine, we kept working and we got some citas (appointments) with some people I'm really excited to teach. I know that when we get tired and our butts hurt from riding the bike for so long and it seems like doing anything more wont help us at all God will bless us if we keep trying and that is what I'm hoping will continue to happen with the people we sorta found! 

So that was my week, nothing special, but a good week! 

I love the young men here they are just super great and I am starting to love the  people in general. My name here in castillano is llésin and I think its super cool, I think I'm going to start spelling it that way! 

I love you fam a ton and am going way hard always! Don't forget that I love you and pray for you always—never stopping! 

Love you for now and on into the eternities, 

Llésin Benedict ;)

A way good fun week for me!!

Well this week has been a way good way fun week for me! Really I just have felt like it was fun and I'm getting better at loving the people that I am here serving!!! Its just been a blast!

Answers to Questions:

• Do you take hot showers or cold?

I shower cold usually but that because it is the only moment where I get to stop sweating for a few minutes! So cold is better, but we have plenty of hot water for all four of us to shower hot if we want!

• Do you do your own laundry?

I do my own undies, we have hermanas (sisters) who do our laundry for us and they are awesome and do a great job! They are great ladies too, so it is fun to visit with them also!

• Do you go and eat at restaurants or fast food places?

There is a place here called Tentate which is slow food that is kinda like fast food, but its not that good! You can order empanadas some nights so we do that sometimes but not often because we are poor ;) there are ton of just random shops everywhere in this country, to own a business you don't have to do anything more then have a sign and the stuff to do it.

• Where do you get your hair cut?

We just go to a random Peluquería or just a haircutting shop, they do a decent job in my opinion. They are way christian and have like 30 bibles on their walls, its way weird!

• How far is it to the nearest grocery store?

We have a vea or Argentine kind of Super Store less then a block from our house so its no problem to go, but its still like time wasting to go there!

• Are the schools there public or private?

I have no idea about the schools, i think they are public, but kids always have like lab coats for school and some places have like a uniform so I don't know — maybe both, I think more private though!

• Is the temperature a bit cooler there than in you first area? Do you notice?

I don't think it is any cooler here then it was in my old area, but it definitely is cooler during the nights — it just cools down here better so you can at least handle the heat when it is bed time!

• Have you received a package from me yet?

No the soonest chance I have to get it is the 31st of this month and if not then I will get it in March! We only go to the offices once a month near the start so if its not there this Friday then I will get it like next month! 

I've been doing good with very little problems—just missing the family! 

Monday we went to this big public building and played volleyball and it was just fun and chill. I don't love my zone a ton, but they are good kids so its fun enough :) but I don't think we had anything special that day that happened!

Tuesday we did intercombios (exchanges) and it was kinda fun. We went and taught a lesson with a ward kid to an old man that is just kinda way crazy and every time we asked him about normal things he would answer and whenever we would ask about God related topics we would sit in silence for about 3 minutes and then he would say "Asi es la vida”, such is the life. It was way weird and way hard. We are gonna make a member go visit him and see what he can do, because that old guy is crazy! :)

Wednesday felt like a waste of a day, nothing happened in the morning and then we just had no luck in the night! But we still worked way hard. :)

Thursday for some reason we just didn't have much luck this day either. It was just a lot of quick chats with people fast and then they would have to go, so we talked to a lot of people but not a lot of lessons. We talked to one lady forever just about missions and who we are and she invited us over any time, but without a gospel topic just to be hanging out and chatting and eating good food and drinking mate! Funny, but I'm not thinking I can do that! :)

Friday we had a way dope activity for the young men this day where we took ten young men on a hour and ten minute bike ride on dirt roads to get to a river and just hang out. They needed our bikes, so we went along in case anyone got tired and it was just cool to be watching the boys riding for the goal and having fun! Then we had normal work because we left the boys to just camp with their leaders and we went home in a truck! That night we passed a blind guy just walking on the side of the road and I asked him if he wanted help? He said he was fine and we road on, but i immediately felt like I needed to go back and talk to him. So I walked and talked with him for thirty minutes. He was way dope! He went blind at nine and he just remembers every street and can just walk on his own because he basically has a map in his head. He would tell us where we were and where we needed to turn left like he could see perfectly, it was just amazing!! I talked about the gospel a little with him and he agreed with what i was saying about prophets and the plan of salvation. So I'm going to go by and teach him even though he doesn't live in my area. Every reference that I have passed to the sisters hasn't ever been talked to and this one is too important to not go to! :) 

Saturday we went about five kilometers on our bikes that morning and taught a new lesson to a nice lady who is maybe crazy, but it was good! We only had fifteen minutes to ride those five or six kilometers back to the house and grab clothes for the bike trip with the boys and make it to a lunch with a very on time hermana! We were two minutes late and we got a text from her telling us she was waiting! Then after that lunch, we biked way fast to the Burnett family to get on the truck to  go to the boys, we got there, ate a little and then we went on the rode. But two boys didn't want to ride so me and my companion got to ride home with the other young men! It was way freaking awesome and there was a ton of puddles on the roads back and I was in street clothes and I just thought why not—and we went and head back first as fast as I could through every single puddle! I got so wet and dirty and it was just everywhere and it was a blast! Most the deacons tried and did the same thing, and we just laughed and had fun! (I don't know if i told you but I'm the second councilor in our young men’s presidency, so me and dad share jobs kinda because our president is kinda less active!) But we got back way dirty and had to sprint to the house because we had a baptism in another area that the girl had asked my companion to do, so we had to get home in twenty minutes from a place that is about a ten to fifteen minute bike ride away shower and get ready and head over! When we were still about 500 yards from the house my companions bike got way flat and we just ran the rest of the way to the pension (apartment). It felt like a triathlon because of the puddles, the biking, and the running! But in the end everything was good and we got there no problem! Then the rest of the night was just normal except we actually taught an honest lesson where the dude just told us he just didn't have the desire to go to church at this point in his life! So we just dealt with it!

Sunday we had two good less active lessons and they said they would start praying and I'm going to text them and remind them of what they said they were going to do through out the week! Then we went to an investigator that I had promised way cool blessing that if she would read a verse every day and pray every night she would know it was true. She didn't read every night, but she prayed and she said she felt a peace and then I told her that was the spirit—it had told her how to continue! It was good and cool! Then we got transfer calls I'm still here going hard, but my companion is out. I’m getting some kid named elder LaFlur or something like that, he is a gringo and I don't know much about him except everyone that is a missionary who has found out has told me it sucks so we will see. I'm keeping my hopes low!

So that was my week we are doing good and hopefully we are going to see some success this transfer and have some progressing investigators that I can tell you about! 

I got this picture from hermana Franco. The younger one he is a pro soccer player and is awesome, he served his mission here 8 years ago and came to live here because he loved it so much and the other is Mario Burnett and the other is all the boys on the trip, so it was a lot! Four of those kids are not members so it was cool, but all those boys live in the sisters area! So ya that stinks for us, because they will now not get taught, but whatever I probably will go teach them anyways! ;) 

I love you all a ton, be safe, and happy, and keep living the dream life!

Love, Elder Benedict

I'm doing good

You guys have way to much fun all the time, did you know? I get all kinds of jealous from all the great little things I hear that you are doing, you guys are just all too fun! 

Did you record Taylor's talk for when I get home so I can hear his stories? He will have forgotten by the time I get home! 

He had quite a few dates this week—what a champ, but he didn't write me, so whatever... 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

• Are you doing good? Are you happy?

I’m doing good, I'm way tired which is bad. I still have a lot of work to do, but no stress I'm good kinds of tired. I am happy, but its been a pretty hard week, but don't worry I know why and what I'm doing! 

• What is your town like? 

My town is little and its nice. Nothing bad happens here, it is just way calm and no robbers or anything. Its just way tranqilo and good. But lots of people like to lie to us or avoid us so thats not cool. 

• What are the houses like?

The houses here can be nice, there are a lot that are not nice, they are more garbage and just brick, but the most are decent! 

• How the heck do you ride that bike? Does it hurt your knees or your back?

Yes my knees are getting a little tired, but my butt is worse! Imagine never getting a day off and imagine that I ride for like three hours a day.... so ya, my butt hurts. I got a new seat after that picture was taken, but i thought it was just a funny picture to explain how crappy it was! 

• How are Tania and Gonzalo. Eva and Maxi??

Tania and Gonzalo have been  avoiding us and Maxi and Eva weren't home yesterday during our cita (appointment) it was rough, but they are good — I hope! 

• Could you keep taking beautiful pictures of your face like the one with the plate of rice? 

I’m not that good at remembering to take pictures it's not just something I think of, but I'm glad you liked that picture! 

• Do you know I love you and miss you sooooooo much???

I didn't know that, but I'm glad, I miss you too!

These kids are the ex-missionaries kids that went with us that day and they came to. I love them! :) 

Monday we played some sports and then just went and tried to teach. People canceled but we did get in with one menos activo so that was good! We at least got to teach a little!

Tuesday we had good plans but when we got there with our members they said they didn't have time but these members are way awesome ex-missionaries and they saw a family just chilling by a stream of water from the road and stopped and we thought these three people lesson one, but at least we got to teach something and the people got to feel the spirit!

Wednesday we did exchanges I think it was in English and it was just a fine day we did service in the morning by talking to an old lady and cleaning her kitchen and then that night we didn't really get to teach, but we passed by a lot of people and it was good for those members and we did teach a family. I remember the elder I was with who is my brother, (elder Evans was his first comp) tore his pants on his bike up to his knee somehow! It was way funny! 

Thursday we got to teach a guy who is pretty cool, he is way active in his church and he likes to learn so we are teaching him, but he has been taught a lot and felt like God told him not to worry about man, but only God so he doesn't need to think if Joseph is a prophet. I tried to get him to read the Book of Mormon and see if it is scripture and if it is all is true! So that was good! 

Friday we had interviews with President and it was awesome! I love talking with him and just getting to learn some new stuff. He said I am doing everything I should be and to keep it up! Then we found a menos activo who wanted to go to church again, but it was cool because the day before we found him he had said to his mom, it has been a long time since we have gone to church, we should really go. Then we passed by the next day.

Saturday literally nothing—we got a flat tire and no success!

Sunday we had branch council meeting and I feel like we can progress, so I'm pumped but we didn't have any lessons that day either, but ya it was good to see that we are improving and going places!

So ya—thats my week! I miss you guys a freaking ton, but its good I'm still going somehow and will keep going like I should. 

I love hearing about Taylor, but I get way jealous—its kinda sad, but give it a little more time and that will be me, so no big deal! 

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Love, Elder Benedict

P.S.

I’m fine mom—calm down, all is good! :) 

I’m just tired because its hard mom! I know what to do though. I'm here for my God and my Savior and I am working for them. I know that I can do all the work as long as I keep my faith in them. I know that Christ is watching over me and I know that I will not be pushed passed my limits that is what I meant by I know why and what I'm doing. I know I'm here for God and I know how I can do it. I’m just weak, and still learning. But I am good. 

I love you mom! :)

Hardest P-Day Yet!

Honestly I can’t lie to you, this has been the hardest p-day of my mission—just the whole thing is way hard, I cried when I saw Taylor’s video because I want to hug him so bad!!! But whatever, for now that can’t happen... I’ll wait my turn somehow.... 

Questions Answered:

• I just realized that if I am going to send you a package for your birthday I better get a padded envelope in the mail ASAP!! Is there anything that you want or need besides measuring cups and our family recipe book?

I want ties to give to elders that aren't amazing, but still good! Uhh I want letters that are handwritten, pictures, things that will make me think of home in a good way—stuff like that! 

• What are your plans for p-day today?

We are playing kickball as a zone--so fun stuff planned! 

• Tell me a little bit about your favorite person in Alvear General.

My favorite person is probably Pablo Yllanez ( The skinnier boy in the picture!) I went with him on my first week here, just me and him and the other boy in the photo and he is just cool and chill!

• How are you and Elder Perez getting along?

Me and Perez are doing fine, he isn't very obedient which is hard but whatevs we work through it! 

• What is the coolest thing you did this week?

This week? I broke my bike seat, but dad gets that picture!

• How are the new investigators?

Uh—we had a zone conference in San Rapheal which was good but ya nothing too special. All the news are good, pray for Tania and Gonzalo and Eva and Maxi those are who I think have the most potential! 

Just so you know I am way jealous of everything that your letter has. Just so you know!

Chinese Rice

Monday, chill normal day, we played soccer. I got way sunburnt and it is way HOT, but it was fun too! We just taught some less actives and it was just fine

Tuesday we taught a menos activo who was baptized as a child and never went to church, but now we are teaching her like an investigator and she actually seems kind of interested so thats cool! Then we just taught one of our old news and she can’t read so its hard, there is a lot of people who can’t read, that makes this way hard, but its good!

My entire mission with D. Todd Christofferson

Wednesday we had zone meeting in San Rapheal the whole day, it was good, I napped, and just chilled, and talked, and ate at a cool restaurant and it was just fine and dandy!

Thursday we taught Tania again and she kinda seems interested and its way cool because her family are all members, but inactive for over 15 years and she never even really knew the church and she is good,but its weird because she just breast feeds through the entire lesson with her boob just chilling, its way weird....

Caramel Cake

Friday we did service in the morning and I got a blister which is sad I don't have my motorcycle hands anymore! That night we helped the other elders with a talent night it wasn't a ton of missionary work, but was good!

Saturday we went out and taught lessons with a 13 year old kid and it was great we taught two new investigators and then we didn't have any more luck, but we helped a member whose brother just died and it was a good use of time and he felt our love and the churches, so all good there!

Sunday we didn't have tons of special stuff—we got a new investigator Juan who is a little crazy and way hard to understand, but way good and he read the Book of Mormon as soon as we left and it was kinda cool because we could see him from where we were reading so maybe he can make it! Then we had another new investigator Eva and Maxi and they are great! They are my age and living together and its weird,  but good and we are going to help them be a eternal family! 

It was a good weekend of teaching and finding really and made me way happy!

So ya my week was good, but almost everyday I was just thinking of how Taylor is now home and I'm here and how weird it is and all this stuff that he is doing with you guys is just crazy, but awesome!! I’m way happy for him and you guys having all this fun—keep killing all the studies!

Tell Taylor he is a champ but he needs to write me and that I love him! 

I love you mom! Be safe and give everyone my love!

Love, Elder Benedict

Dad,

So ya this is my bike! I sort of broke it this week, but don’t worry I bought a new seat it was just a crappy seat and I'm way too big for the bike, but its just funny that it bent how it did! I loved your comment on Taylor liking mountain biking, maybe all three of us can go when I get home, as long as you don't hurt him again. How did he fall? It couldn't have been a very big jump, but whatever! He is silly—but keep him enjoying it, I'm always jumping off curbs and trying to get courage to jump the ditches they have on all the roads, but the spirit tells me not to so I don't really think I will! So ya—this bike is awesome and I cant wait for the bike I get when I get home, I saw Taylor on that nice bike and I was way jealous I'm way jealous of all the fun stuff you guys are doing, but no stress I want to hear about it! Keep up all the good work and love everyone for me!  I’m happy and sad, but know that we are going to go even harder then you guys are right now, be ready!!!

Love you Dad!

Sincerely, Jayson